Associate Director/Director, Cell Therapy Technical Operations

Bristol-Myers Squibb • Seattle, WA

118d • $185,580 - $224,880 • Hybrid

About The Position

Working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You'll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Within the Cell Therapy Development and Operations (CTDO) division, the Cell Therapy Technical Operations (CTTO) organization is accountable for technology transfer and process validation across the product lifecycle, CMC lifecycle management and regulatory strategy, oversight and governance of global CDMO partnerships, and driving process engineering, harmonization, and standardization to ensure global manufacturing scale-up, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related discipline.
• 10+ years (B.S.), 8+ years (M.S.), or 5+ years (Ph.D.) of experience in biologics or cell therapy process development, tech transfer, or GMP manufacturing support.
• Demonstrated success leading late-stage development, PPQ strategy, and commercial validation.
• Proven track record managing and influencing external partnerships (CDMOs/CMOs) to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of ICH guidelines, control strategies, and validation lifecycle frameworks.
• Experience authoring and defending regulatory submissions (INDs, BLAs, variations).
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and align cross-functional teams on complex technical and strategic issues.
• Proficiency in data analytics and modeling tools (e.g., JMP, R, Minitab).
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical content into strategic recommendations for leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in cell therapy, immunotherapy, or viral vector manufacturing.
• Experience shaping and executing global strategy across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Prior involvement in global governance forums or steering committees.
• Familiarity with advanced statistical and QbD approaches for process lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for cross-functional technology transfers, including facility fit, readiness, and long-term manufacturing sustainability.
• Define and drive global process control strategies, ensuring risk-based parameter classification, lifecycle justification of ranges, and alignment with CPV methodologies.
• Represent CTTO in regulatory discussions and serve as a technical leader for INDs, and BLAs.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with CDMOs, acting as the primary technical interface to ensure performance, alignment, and compliance with BMS standards.
• Lead global forums to harmonize manufacturing processes, control strategies, and lifecycle management approaches across internal and external sites.
• Partner with senior leadership to influence long-term CTTO strategy, identifying opportunities for innovation, standardization, and operational excellence.
• Monitor and interpret process performance data to inform strategic decision-making, lifecycle investments, and continuous improvement.
• Provide mentorship and technical leadership to junior engineers, while also elevating organizational capability through best practice sharing.

Benefits

• Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care.
• Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP).
• Financial well-being resources and a 401(K).
• Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support.
• Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown Days between Christmas and New Year's holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility.
• Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave.
• Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources.
• Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Education Level: Master's degree